"What's wrong? Got a problem?"

Bai Ziyi had zero patience for her assistant right now. She was fuming.

Who knew where this butterfly effect started? By Zhan the Loser Dog’s usual path, confessing was ages away.

Yet today, she’d sneaked off so far.

Bai Ziyi had sharply noticed Yun Mingxin’s gaze at that guy shift.

It evolved from staring at a monkey to seeing a human.

Bai Ziyi! Danger!

"Um, Miss, can I take a break?"

The bespectacled girl pleaded pitifully, stars practically sparkling in her eyes.

Bai Ziyi wasn’t buying it. Just as she opened her mouth to refuse, she spotted a figure behind her.

Instantly, she pulled off a lightning-fast face switch.

Gently brushing aside silver strands near her ear, she cooed to her assistant, "Tired? Need a rest?"

Assistant: ...

Miss, what’s wrong with you?

You scared me! That’ll cost you.

"Oh, we’re at the mountain foot."

Yun Mingxin stepped out from behind the assistant, relief softening his face.

Seeing the exhausted assistant and the fidgety Zhan Mengxi on her back, he felt awful.

He turned to the assistant. "Really sorry. I’m a grown man, yet you’re carrying her."

"She’s heavy, right? Rest a bit?"

"Who’s heavy?! Stupid Xiao Xin!"

Zhan Mengxi’s cheeks puffed like a pufferfish.

The assistant started to reply—then saw her mistress teleport before Yun Mingxin.

"Brother Mingxin, don’t worry. I saw she was tired and wanted her to rest. But she needs exercise. Chores demand stamina."

"I’ve planned it all. I’ll manage her reasonably."

"Good," Yun Mingxin nodded.

"I’m even more impressed. So thoughtful!"

He gave a thumbs-up.

"Unlike someone. Lazy as hell. Last shopping trip, I carried her!"

Polite Zhan Mengxi: You??

"Hehe."

Bai Ziyi shyly tugged her hair twice.

The assistant stood speechless.

If asked her feelings? She’d scream: I’m desk staff!

This isn’t exercise—it’s torture.

"Enough!"

"Stop it, both of you!"

Zhan Mengxi waved her arms, cutting them off. She grabbed Yun Mingxin’s sleeve.

"Xiao Xin, take me home!"

Perched on the assistant’s back, she cooed while shooting Bai Ziyi a defiant glare.

Like she wasn’t even there.

"You!!"

A giant '#' symbol flashed on Bai Ziyi’s forehead.

They were born to clash.

No—she needed a plan.

Yun Mingxin weighed it. At the mountain base, they could find a car. He should take Zhan Mengxi home, not burden others.

He opened his mouth—but Bai Ziyi cut in. "Brother Mingxin, wait."

He frowned at her.

Even airheaded Zhan Mengxi sensed trouble. This flat-chested, white-haired schemer reeked of ulterior motives.

Bai Ziyi was average-sized, but beside her? Practically saving national fabric.

To Zhan Mengxi, she was scheming and flat.

Sure enough, Bai Ziyi’s eyes glinted before she turned grave. "Brother Mingxin, Sister Mengxi’s injury can’t be ignored. High risk."

"Yeah. I’ll take her to the hospital first, then head home."

"Out of the question!"

Bai Ziyi objected urgently.

"Brother Mingxin, no offense—you can barely walk. If you hadn’t refused the hospital, I’d have sent you first."

"Caring for another patient too? That’s reckless."

Yun Mingxin’s brow furrowed.

She was right. He knew his limits—he was utterly drained.

Back home, he’d chug glucose and rest days.

But Zhan Mengxi? Their parents had announced a joint trip the day before departure. Both houses were empty.

"But I can’t keep troubling you. It’s embarrassing."

Bai Ziyi’s eyes lit up—she’d waited for this.

"I’ve nothing to do. This is trivial. I’ll be a good Samaritan and see it through—take Sister Mengxi to the hospital."

"Trust me. I’ll handle it perfectly."

She slapped her chest firmly. Her delicate look made her oddly cute.

"This... too much trouble."

Yun Mingxin wavered.

"No hassle at all!" Bai Ziyi chirped.

Beside them, the assistant—still trapped under Zhan Mengxi, arms near breaking, mentally swearing—...

Zhan Mengxi’s heart clenched.

I messed up. I’d told Auntie and my parents I was almost with Yun Mingxin.

Told them to vacation, freeing up alone time.

They loved traveling anyway.

Acting like future in-laws, both families skipped off happily.

At his hometown, Yun Mingxin had to visit home. The detour wasted hours.

Less time together.

My plan was naive. Now I’ve dug my grave.

Better face Mom’s eye-roll than owe my rival a favor.

"No..."

"Fine. Thanks. Call me anytime you need help!"

Yun Mingxin conceded.

His state left no room for tsundere pride.

Her plan was simply the easiest.

Bai Ziyi beamed.

"Leave it to me. I’ll send someone to take you home."

"Mm!"

"Mengxi, obey them. Thank them properly. I’m off—call if needed!"

Watching them seal the deal, Zhan Mengxi could only grunt agreement.

The still-ignored assistant: ...

An hour later, darkness fell.

Yun Mingxin kicked open his bedroom door and collapsed onto the bed.

"Comfy!"

He sighed contentedly.

No lunch. No dinner. Starving, yet too drained to move.

Today? Sleep only.

As drowsiness pulled him under, the doorbell jolted him awake.

Half-asleep, he mumbled, "Who is it?"

"Sorry to bother you. It’s me!"